Merry Christmas

Star Wars ANYTHING

was the hit of the holiday!

My New Coast!

California Coast

Korbel Champagne Vineyard

Nada Nevada

   This derelict motel sign was actually in the parking lot of a gas station/local town bar.  No, seriously the gas station in this tiny town in Nevada was hosting the New Year's party!  Everywhere in Nevada I repeat EVERYWHERE in Nevada has slot machines!  'Nuff said.

     
   The impressive Salt Lake City, Utah Capital Building; Salt Lake city has many impressive buildings around town including the Mormon Temple Square.  The only thing that may be more impressive than the buildings would have to be the organ in the Mormon Tabernacle.

Bison grazing in front of Salt Lake

Wyoming to Utah

Wonderous Wyoming Wilderness

   We stayed in beautiful Jackson, WY.  On our free day we took a wilderness tour which was amazing!  I saw more wildlife then I have ever seen before in my life!  We caught a glimpse of a bald eagle, horned goats, dear, many bison and even moose!  The landscape in Wyoming is truly majestic!  

Hello Western America

Boulder Dushanbe Tea House

The Boulder Dushanbe Tea House was a spot recommended to me by my Aunt and Uncle and it is a Boulder must-see!  The Tea House was actually a gift to the city of Boulder by their sister city, Dushanbe (the capital of Tajikistan).  The presence of tea in Boulder, CO was a pleasant surprise.  In addition to the Dushanbe Tea House we also visited the factory and headquarters of Celestial Seasons Tea.

 Onward to Wyoming...

The World of Wind

    Driving through the middle of the country Mom and I were not expecting to see as many wind farms we did, however we were thrilled!  Not only did we see the farms, but we also saw many huge white propellers being transported to make new wind turbines.  To learn more about wind energy (as we all should) check out the Wikipedia on it http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_power

Driving Through the Flat Lands

See ya later Kentucky!

St. Louis Arch

  I took this picture especially for my sister Kate, who went to college in St. Louis.  I  love how it came out though, we had some truly beautiful days with especially gorgeous skies on our trip  out west!

Monument Rocks of Kansas

   The Monument Rocks of Kansas, also known as Chalk Pyramids are very impressive.  Formed over 80 million years ago these rocks, like their second name have a very chalky texture.  Towering over 70 ft. tall - the one pictured above naturally shaped like a camel others have holes through them; amazing wonders of the world.

Yee Haw!

Our next stop, Louisville, KY!  

Spending only one night in Kentucky we were lucky enough to be able to catch the rodeo and it was a hoot!  Unlike anything I had ever experienced before, witnessing real cowboys and cow ties; we had a great time.

Moving West...

Starting out on my road trip (with my Mom) to move to California, the first overnight stop was Pittsburgh, PA.  The image is a view from atop Mt. Washington looking at the Duquesne Incline.  The Duquesne Incline is an inclined plane railroad, scaling Mt. Washington, designed by Samuel Diescher and completed in 1887.

Garlic: the natural anti-biotic

"There is no such thing as a little garlic."
Arthur Baer

No statement were truer this past weekend at the annual garlic festival in Saugerties, New York.

http://www.hudsonvalleygarlic.com/

After a beautiful drive upstate, my friends and I indulged in every kind of garlic flavored food you can imagine, even garlic cookies & ice cream! My favorite - the garlic ricotta fried ravioli in a garlic butter sauce!

White Plains Be Burnin...

Yesterday White Plains, NY, where we reside had local shops burning down to the ground. Local news paper reports can be seen here http://www.lohud.com/article/20100708/NEWS02/7080372/White-Plains-blaze-destroys-East-Post-Road-businesses-25-firefighters-hospitalized

Dillon & I were just driving around trying to decide what to have for dinner when we happened upon the blaze - without my camera in hand I took a few shots with my iPhone before running home to grab the big guns and here is some of what I captured.

All Before he Turned Three...

All before he turned three - my sweet nephew...

ate his cake...

he got a girlfriend...

and grew some facial hair!

To my sweet Jasper - have a wonderful Birthday!
xox
Aunt M.

Eliza B is Six

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This past weekend my cousin and god-daughter Eliza had her 6th Birthday party at a Farm, http://www.riverridgestable.com .
She is a beautiful and bright young girl whose party and adorable face made for some great shots.
Enjoy!

This horse was a Leo - Like me!


Donkeeeyyy!

Kumkquats = Delicious

I had no idea until I tried kumquats for the first time last week, but they taste like candy! They are like sour patch kids - sour at first then sweet!!

Earth Hour 2010

This past weekend on Saturday March 27th was Earth Hour. An initiative started in Australia where people turn off all their lights for one hour from 8:30 to 9:30 to signify and stand against global warming.

I participated in Earth Hour last year at home and this year I wanted to capture what the great city of New York does. In the photo you can see the not so drastic change from pre-8:30 and post-8:30. The lights did go off in the Empire State Building...but to be honest I was hoping for more...

Maybe in a few more years when the word about Earth Hour spreads a little farther!

The Disaster After the Storm

This storm left everything but the calm! With nearly 200,000 people out of power and thousands of roads closed the catastrophe around us was not to be missed! On our way to breakfast this morning we took quite the detour due to downed trees and power lines that were still sparking! Took some pictures on our excursion but I especially love this shot of the worker who posed for me.

Food Photography Class

Yesterday amid the crazy Nor'easter I was taking a food photography class with amazing professional Lou Manna. www.loumanna.com check out his site to see some of his work. It was a great experience and I learned a TON! Here are some images from the class (as they speak louder than words)

…with the tulips on the table and the amazing weather we've been having it's feeling like Spring is here! Dillon and I have been in panini heaven this week concocting delicious sandwiches including Green Apple & Brie, Chicken & Spinach & Mozzarella and so much more… Then there was also Dillon’s new Chipotle Ranch he whipped up!

Debi's Homemade

So last week we got Dillon’s Mom’s amazing cookie recipe! I think every time we go back to Chicago she has always had a good batch of these cookies around the house whether it’s the dough, the solid ones in the freezer that taste just as good post-microwave or the freshly baked ones! Last weekend while cooped up in the house due to the freezing weather outside we made an obscenely large amount of this incredible dough So much dough that we have been able to continue to bake fresh cookies all week long!

yummm!!!